Local

Following the state- and national-level trend, average SAT scores for college-bound Lancaster County high school seniors slipped slightly this year with only one high school showing a slight increase.

The SAT is one of two widely accepted national college-entrance exams. Redesigned in 2005, the test consists of three sections: critical reading, math and science, which are scored on a range of 200 to 800 points for a perfect score of 2400.

A semi-truck was left as little more than smoldering rubble Monday, Sept. 24, after it caught fire and burned on Flat Creek Road.

Steve Osteen of Lancaster, a driver for Tucker Trucking, was hauling a load of scrap metal east on Flat Creek Road (S.C. 903) near the Chesterfield County line around 2:25 p.m. Monday when he heard a loud popping noise as he rounded a curve.

By the time he stopped the Peterbilt semi and its loaded dump trailer, the motor was already starting to burn, Osteen said.

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office has charged a Lancaster High School teacher and Indian Land High School coach with sexual battery of a student. Officers arrested Tony Allen Ford, 36, on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012.

The sheriff’s office began an investigation after receiving a report of suspicious activity from the parent of a former Indian Land High School student.

Christopher Sardellicsardelli@thelancasternews.com
An Lancaster Police Department officer received minor injuries after chasing a man who ran from Springs Memorial Hospital earlier this month.
Police responded to the hospital emergency room at 5:38 p.m. Sept. 11, after a man shattered the Emergency Medical Services door and ran away, according to a Lancaster Police Department incident report.
The man had been detained and taken to the hospital by Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office deputies only minutes before he ran away, the report said.

Christopher Sardellicsardelli@thelancasternews.com
Deputies arrested a Lancaster man on multiple charges this week after an investigation into a burglarized home.
Joseph J. Hinson, 26, 1134 Laurel Ave., was arrested Wednesday, Sept. 19, on charges of second-degree burglary, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, according to a Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office press release.

Laura Caskeylcaskey@thelancasternews.com
The Lancaster County Farmer’s Commission wants young people to discover what Lancaster County Farmer’s Market has to offer.
The commission has organized the Public Services Honors Festival, a weekend event which recognizes local service agencies. The festival gathers local service agencies and honors them for the work they do for the county.

Christopher Sardellicsardelli@thelancasternews.com
A Kershaw man is recovering after accidently shooting himself in a local department store parking lot Friday, Sept. 14.
Lancaster Police Department officers were called at to Walmart, 805 S.C. 9 Bypass, about 7 a.m. that day to help a 21-year-old man with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his ankle, according to a Lancaster Police Department incident report.
When officers arrived, members of the Lancaster Fire Department and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office were already there.

Jesef Williamsjwilliams@thelancasternews.com
Lancaster County’s unemployment rate experienced a drop in August, though the numbers may be a result of fewer people in the work force.
The county had an August jobless rate of 12.4 percent, a decline from the 13 percent posted in July. By comparison, the August 2011 jobless rate for Lancaster County was 14.4 percent, according to figures released Friday, Sept. 21, by the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

Christopher Sardellicsardelli@thelancasternews.com
Lancaster County Council will discuss several items related to economic development at its Monday meeting, Sept. 24.
Council will first discuss a proposal from the Lancaster County Economic Development Corp. designed to generate funds for activities such as marketing and workforce development.